Atkinson-Shiffrin's Multi-store Model Of Memory Flashcards
Multi-store model
3 separate but interacting systems
Each plays distinctive part in memory process
- Sensory register
- Short-term store
- Long-term store
AKA
Three box model
Sensory register
Entry point for all new information from external environment as experience by sensory system
Duration of sensory memory
When we receive (e.g. Visual input) its image remains for approx 0.5 seconds in relatively unanalysed form
Information not attended to or processed further is forgotten
Sensory register V. Sensory memory
Sensory memory is the storage that occurs within the sensory registers
Disruption of sensory memory
Additional information entering the SAME sensory channel disrupts the storage
2 types of sensory memory:
- Iconic: (0.2-0.5s) known as visual modality - involves storage of stimuli which have been discriminated in terms of physical feature only (e.g size, shape, colour) as distinct from their meaning
- Echoic: (3-4 s) known as auditory modality - works in same way except deals with sound
Short-term store
Where information is attended to and transferred
If not attended to the memory trace/neural imprint decays and disappears
AKA working memory - also where information to perform everyday functions is manipulated
STM Duration
12-18 – 30 s unaided
Can be extended by rehearsal
Can easily be disrupted by external or internal distractions
All info eventually completely lost
Rehearsal
Requires some sort of speech (aloud or internal) to keep information circulating in STM
Allows information to be held in STM for longer
2 types:
1. Maintenance
2. Elaborative
Coding in STM
Primarily acoustic
Information from sensory memory (incl. visual) is converted to sound and stored in that form
Capacity of STM
Limited to 7 (+-2) bits of information
Can be seen as slots where only one piece of information can fit inside each slot
Chunking
Reduction of unlimited amounts of information into smaller amounts to fill less ‘slots’
A form of encoding because it imposes meaning on otherwise meaningless letters and numbers
Advantages of chunking
- Increases capacity
2. More likely information will be stored longer
How to chunk
- Arrange letters into words –> into phrases –> into sentences
- Converting e.g 1066 (4 bits of information) into a date. A string of 28 numbers could be 7 dates
- Using a rule that can be remembered easily
Maintenance rehearsal
Overt (aloud) or covert (in head) repetition of information - fine for maintaining information in STM but will not always lead to LTM
Elaborative Rehearsal
Information actively analysed for its physical, sensory or semantic (meaningful) features and so is more effective in transferring info from STM to LTM
Links new info with existing
Active process with more effective coding/deeper processing
2 terms to describe human memory:
- Structural features: permanent built in fixed features of memory that never vary (e.g. The 3 different stores)
- Control processes: selected and used by each individual and may vary across situations. Under conscious control.
Long-term store
Information held relatively permanently I a highly organised way
Holds all potentially retrievable information that is not currently being used
Enable us to deal with past and use info to deal with present
Capacity of LTM
Thought to have unlimited capacity
Classes of information in LTM
- Spatial model of world around us
- Knowledge of the physical world, laws and properties of objects
- Beliefs about people, ourselves, social norms, values and goals
- Motor skills, problem solving skills and plans for achieving various things
Duration of LTM
Between a few minutes and several years (potentially and entire lifetime)
Coding in LTM
2 forms (at least) -
1. Semantic code: deals with materials in terms of verbal meaning. More common, esp. With abstract material
2. Imagery or visual code: takes pictorial form
Potential 3rd -
Acoustic
Declarative memory
Covers episodic memory and semantic memory
Refers to learning material declaratively - knowing THAT … (Fact memory)
Episodic memory (EM)
Autobiographical memory responsible for storing a record of our past experiences –> events, people etc.
Usually includes details about time and place something occurred
Semantic memory (SM)
Stores general factual knowledge about world incl. concepts,rules and language
Used without reference to time & place info was learnt
Procedural Memory
Can be considered skill memory
Refers to knowing how to DO something
